The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 860 Novaria's Regret

"Her Highness Novaria has disappeared? What exactly happened, Nolan?" Rafine asked as she pulled her hood down to cover her face.

Nolan did the same. After glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, he replied calmly, "I don't know. She may have been kidnapped."

Nolan's calm response left Rafine speechless.

"At least show some concern for your own sister," she muttered, the corner of her mouth twitching.

The two of them soon arrived at a small shop on the south side of town. A sign reading "Free Meals Every Day" hung above the entrance.

"Is this the place?" Rafine asked as she started to walk over, but Nolan quickly stopped her.

"What's wrong, Nolan?"

Rafine turned to him with a puzzled look.

Nolan didn't answer immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the shop.

"That's no ordinary shop," he said. "I can sense a flow of magic surrounding it."

His eyes shifted to a small, seemingly insignificant stone lying near the right side of the building.

To anyone else, it was just an ordinary stone.

But to Nolan, it was one of the magic circles forming the barrier that protected the shop.

"A flow of magic?" Rafine's eyes widened slightly. "W-Wait... Don't tell me this shop belongs to a mage?"

Nolan shook his head.

"Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain—my suspicions were correct. Novaria has most likely been kidnapped."

A faint chuckle escaped his lips.

The thought was oddly amusing. That arrogant woman was finally facing the consequences of the countless wrongs she had committed in the past.

"Then what should we do? Are we just going to stand by and let Her Highness Novaria disappear?" Rafine asked hesitantly.

Her conscience told her they had to save Novaria. Despite her unpleasant personality, Novaria was still a princess of the Empire. Her disappearance could easily provoke the Emperor's wrath.

And since she had vanished under their watch—especially within the eastern region—the ones who would bear the brunt of the Emperor's anger would be Nolan, Elina, herself, and, of course, the Austin family.

Nolan glanced at her, as if seeing through her thoughts, then smiled.

"We'll look for her. But first..."

His gaze returned to the deserted shop.

"Let's find out who's behind this place. The fact that they dared to establish a base here and kidnap Novaria suggests there's an organization behind it. It's also possible there are many other victims besides that stubborn woman."

Rafine nodded. Then, she suddenly stopped in her tracks as a thought crossed her mind.

"Nolan, could this shop be connected to the disappearances in the town?"

Nolan narrowed his eyes.

"You mean the case where people started disappearing about a month ago?"

"Exactly!" Rafine nodded quickly. "According to the residents, their children suddenly started going missing. We searched every corner of Virella, but we couldn't find a single clue. That's when I started wondering if this shop might be behind it."

Nolan fell into thought.

A month ago—or more precisely, thirty-five days ago—numerous people had mysteriously disappeared.

The cause remained unknown, and the case was still under investigation.

If Rafine's suspicion was correct, then it was no wonder Elina, as the lord of these lands, had failed to find them.

"Interesting... Very interesting..."

A faint yet sinister smile spread across his face.

"Who would be bold enough to do all this right under my nose?"

His curiosity about the mastermind behind it all only grew stronger.

Most likely, a powerful organization was operating in the shadows.

…

Four horse-drawn carriages traveled in a line. The lead carriage carried several burly, menacing-looking men, while the other three each pulled a large wagon filled with unconscious people.

Inside the last wagon, Novaria slowly opened her eyes.

At first, her vision was blurry, but it gradually came into focus. The first thing she saw made her heart sink. The inside of the wagon was dark, with only a few narrow cracks letting strips of sunlight filter through.

W-What happened? Where am I?

She tried to speak but couldn't. An iron gag locked her mouth shut. She didn't know what the device was called, but it resembled the kind once used in prisons to punish inmates.

It wasn't just her mouth—her hands and feet were bound in heavy chains.

Forget screaming, let alone escaping—she couldn't even move freely.

Could I have been kidnapped?

The moment that thought crossed her mind, her heart began to race.

Her breathing grew uneven.

That was the only explanation.

She looked around and realized she wasn't alone. Several other people were lying beside her—young women, girls, and even children.

Unlike her, they were still unconscious, completely unaware that they had been kidnapped.

W-What should I do? How did this happen?

Tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn't understand how her life had come to this.

First, her mother had arranged for her to marry a prince from the western region, a man she had never even met.

Second, she had lost all her wealth in Virella after being swindled by the merchant caravan that had brought her there.

Third, Nolan and Elina had cast her out and completely rejected her.

And now, fourth, she had been kidnapped by a group of criminals, with no idea what fate awaited her.

A deep sense of despair slowly consumed her.

Yet more than anything else, she was filled with regret.

She had once been the Second Princess, admired and respected wherever she went. Anything she wanted was always within her reach.

But now, she was nothing more than a helpless captive.

If only she hadn't run away.

If only she hadn't been so arrogant toward Nolan and Elina.

If only she had been as talented as Seira, Elina, Freya, and Sharon...

Maybe none of this would have happened.

She lowered her head and quietly sobbed.

Her fate was already sealed.

Maybe... maybe she would never be able to return to the life she once had—the life of the Second Princess, admired and respected by everyone.

…

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

Rafine knocked firmly on the glass door in front of her.

"Please open up. M-My husband and I haven't eaten yet."

Her voice faltered as she said the word "husband."

Standing beside her, Nolan let out a quiet chuckle.

That only made Rafine glare at him before punching him in the stomach.

"Ow!"

Nolan groaned, rubbing his aching stomach.

"D-Don't laugh at me!" Rafine protested.

Nolan raised both hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright. I was just joking. Now hurry and get back into character. Otherwise, the owner will get suspicious."

Rafine took a deep breath, composed herself, and continued her act.

"P-Please, open the door! I just want a free meal! Hurry... my husband is sick!"

Nolan immediately put on a weak, exhausted expression.

Just then, an elderly voice came from behind them.

"Young people these days... you really have no manners."

Nolan and Rafine turned around and saw a hunched old woman slowly approaching.

Rafine glanced at Nolan, who gave her a subtle wink.

"I-I'm sorry, Grandma. I... I didn't know what else to do. My husband and I haven't eaten anything in a week. We're starving, and he can't hold on much longer."

She gently held her stomach and lowered her head in shame.

The old woman's irritation faded, replaced by sympathy.

"Alright, I understand. I own this place. Come inside."

Rafine's face lit up for a split second, but she quickly hid it and nodded weakly.

"Thank you."